led, not fluent at 7th, in creased advantage after 8th, reduced lead after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, headed before 2 out where rallied and on terms, led narrowly after 2 out, ran on well run-in
mid-division, 4th after 7th, 5th after 4 out, dropped to 6th before 3 out, progress before last, kept on same pace to moderate 3rd closing stages
rear, 7th after 7th, slightly detached and under pressure after 4 out, weakened and detached 3 out where mistake, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leader, took closer order in 2nd after 7th, not fluent at 8th, closed after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, no extra in 4th before 2 out
in touch, took closer order in 3rd after 7th, under pressure before 3 out, no impression on leaders 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, 6th after 7th, took closer order after 4 out, 4th before 3 out, good headway to lead before 2 out where joined and slight mistake, soon headed, not match winner in clear 2nd run-in
rear of mid-division, slow jump at 2nd, slight mistake at 5th, 5th after 7th, improved to 4th after 4 out, dropped to 5th 3 out where not fluent, weakened before 2 out
The in-form and seemingly much-improved GRAND SOIR has to give weight away all round but does have enough positives to earn the vote. He is the sole course and distance winner in the line-up, a win achieved last month when coming home really powerfully, and his assured stamina over this trip can prove a crucial factor. It's interesting to see Cool Survivor move into Listed company on the back of a maiden hurdle success, suggesting that he's quite well regarded by the Elliott yard. He looks dangerous if taking this step up to three miles for the first time in his stride. And it's no surprise to see Whatsavailable returned to hurdling after failing to complete on two recent chase starts. He's well worth a place on the shortlist along with Granny Lowrie.
Cool Survivor (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Made virtually all, pushed along and went two lengths clear approaching final flight, ridden clear flat, readily, won at Punchestown 2m 5f mdn gd in Oct beating Patricks Hill (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 20 ran.
Glamorgan Duke (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Led, 3 lengths clear before 2nd where not fluent, headed at 4th and raced 3rd, 4th at 6th, no impression in moderate 4th 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 5, 22l behind Favorite Moon (11-10) at Galway 2m 5f sft in Oct.
Sunset Cato (IRE) 150-1 (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, raced keenly, pushed along in 2nd over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 29l behind Shoot The Blues (12-0) at Limerick 2m sft in Oct.
Whatsavailable (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th and not fluent at times, 4th halfway, left in 3rd 3 out, dropped to 4th and no impression before next where bad mistake and unseated, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Oct.
Western Comandor (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out and pushed along before next, ridden and kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Carrig Rock (11-4) at Sligo 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Granny Lowrie (IRE) 125-1 (10-8) Rear, towards rear at 1st, not fluent in 7th at 4th, mistake 4 out and detached, not fluent 2 out, no extra, never a factor, last of 7, 19 1/4l behind Champ Kiely (11-1) at Tipperary 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Oct.
Ah Fuhgeddaboudit (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) In touch, 6th after 6th, took closer order after 3 out, 4th 2 out where mistake, no impression on leaders before last, one paced run-in, 4th of 18, 10 1/4l behind Henning (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Grand Soir (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Soon led at sedate pace, headed after 2nd, 4th after 3rd, dropped to 6th at 9th, headway before 10th, led 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden before last where slight mistake, kept on best run-in, won at Cork 3m Good - Yielding in Oct beating Another Choice (11-10) by 3l, 7 ran.
